Photo/Illutration Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and Princess Aiko speak with an atomic bomb survivor on Sept. 12 at the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum. (Pool)

NAGASAKI--Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and their daughter Princess Aiko visited a nursing care facility here on Sept. 13 to meet with hibakusha atomic bomb survivors.

It was the last stop of 80th anniversary visits to World War II sites, honoring the conflict’s end.

The three spent about 30 minutes speaking with elderly residents of Megumi no Oka Nagasaki Genbaku Home and asking about their experiences of the Aug. 9, 1945, bombing that leveled the southern port city.

About 350 hibakusha reside in the two facilities that make up the home. The oldest resident is 105.

Naruhito and Masako spoke to 94-year-old Eiko Machida and were clearly moved by her account.

They also chatted with Hatsue Ogawa, 84, who was only 4 years old when the atomic bomb detonated over the city.

Naruhito asked her where she was at that moment, and Ogawa explained that she barely escaped with her life.

To be at eye level with residents in wheelchairs, the three crouched down. One elderly woman had hearing difficulties, so they moved closer and spoke more distinctly.

Masako encouraged her daughter to ask residents about their wartime experiences.

It was the second time Naruhito visited the facility. He met with residents in July 2003 when he was still crown prince.

His parents, Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko, also visited the facility in July 1995 and October 2014.

The imperial family arrived in Nagasaki on Sept. 12 and offered flowers and prayers to honor victims at the Nagasaki Peace Park.

At the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum, they met with other hibakusha, including Kikuyo Nakamura, who is 101.

Upon hearing Nakamura recount how all her relatives perished in the atomic bombing, Masako expressed anguish at her terrible ordeal.

Nakamura is a member of a hibakusha group that rings a bell at Nagasaki Peace Park on the ninth of every month to remember the day of the U.S. attack. Even though she now uses a wheelchair, Nakamura tries to make those monthly visits to the park.

Naruhito expressed admiration for the years she had spent explaining the importance of peace. Nakamura teared up when she asked the emperor to cooperate on behalf of peace.

The imperial family members also met with Shigemitsu Tanaka, chairman of the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Survivors Council, who is also co-chairman of Nihon Hidankyo (Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations). This was the first time the imperial family met with a representative of Nihon Hidankyo since the organization was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2024.

Aiko asked Tanaka what he wanted to pass on to future generations and he said, “to have them work toward a world without nuclear weapons and war.”

Given the dwindling number of hibakusha, Tanaka said it was significant the imperial family members had visited Nagasaki at this time. He expressed the hope it would renew interest in the history of the atomic bombings and help in efforts to rid the world of nuclear weapons.

The imperial family members also met with individuals who are passing on the experiences of hibakusha even though they themselves have no direct knowledge of the event.

Saki Matsuyama, 20, of Isahaya, Nagasaki Prefecture, has been explaining to elementary and junior high school students what hibakusha went through since she was in the second year of junior high school.

After meeting with the imperial family, Matsuyama told reporters the opportunity gave her a chance to think about peace and the importance of passing on to others what the hibakusha experienced.

The trip to Nagasaki was the first for Aiko, while it was the first time Naruhito and Masako visited the city as emperor and empress.

The visit to Nagasaki marked the final stop this year for visits by the imperial family to sites deeply associated with World War II. They have visited Iwoto island, formerly called Iwojima, Okinawa and Hiroshima in this 80th anniversary year.

(This article was compiled from reports by Senior Staff Writer Yasuhiko Shima and Satoshi Juyanagi.)

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